After being involved in an accident, it is very likely that the claim will be resolved through a settlement with insurance carriers. However, insurance carriers will use various tactics to try and limit how much money they pay out in compensation, and one of these tactics often includes requiring the claimant to give a recorded statement. Here, we want to discuss these recorded statements, whether or not you should give one, and how to approach a recorded statement if you do give one.
Avoid Recorded Statements to Insurance Carriers
In general, it is advisable for individuals who sustained injuries not to give recorded statements to insurance carriers. Even if you did not cause the incident or thank you have nothing to hide, there are a variety of reasons why this could be a mistake.
- Inconsistent story. Insurance claims adjusters are trained to look for inconsistencies in a claimant’s story. Anything you say in a recorded statement will be compared to any other statements you have given, including in the accident report. Any inconsistencies could result in a claim delay or denial.
- Injury severity. Insurance companies may ask various questions related to your injuries, and you could end up saying something that makes it seem like the injuries are not as severe as initially thought.
- Too much information. Most insurance claims adjusters are very friendly, and they appear helpful. However, this can lower you into a false sense of security and get you to give additional information, perhaps about pre-existing injuries or about your day-to-day activities.
Please understand that you are not required by law to give a recorded statement to the insurance carrier. If you feel pressured to do so, reach out to an attorney immediately.
Keep These Factors in Mind When Giving Any Statement
Inevitably, you may need to speak to your insurance carrier in order to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage expenses. Even if you are not giving a recorded statement, there are various things that you need to keep in mind.
First, you need to report the incident to the insurance carrier as soon as possible in order to avoid passing their in-house deadlines. When you do speak to the insurance carrier, you need to write down the name and phone number of anybody that you speak to just in case you need to contact them later on or provide information about who you gave a statement to.
When you speak to the insurance carrier, you need to just answer the questions they ask and give no additional information. Do not deviate from any story that you already gave about the accident. Do not engage in any small talk with the insurance claims adjuster. Keep your answers straightforward, short, and truthful.
Speak to an Attorney First
If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, you need to speak to a skilled Southfield accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can examine every aspect of your claim and help you determine the best steps moving forward. More importantly, a lawyer will help guide you through the process of speaking to the insurance carriers. If an attorney takes your claim, they will be the one to handle all communication with other parties involved.
The post How To Give An Effective Recorded Statement To An Insurance Company appeared first on Haque Legal.